Crate



May 16, 1933. J. w. SIMMONS CRATE Filed July 11, 1932 UNITE STA Patented May 16, 1933 TES PATE

.TAcx w. SIMMONS, 0F TALLAHASSEE, F ORIDA CRATE Application filed. July 11,

This invention relates to crates and such like receptacles wherein vegetables and fruit are packed for shipment. V An object of the invention is the provi- ,sion of a crate assembled from Stock mate rial arranged so that a cratemay be adjusted to fit its contents and thus be completely filled.

Another object is the provision of a crate construction wherein the top is Slidably attached for adjustment toward or from the bottom.

A further object is the provision of a crate having means whereby its height may be varied to fit the contents. Other objects will be apparent from the description.

The present disclosure constitutes a practical embodiment of the best means I have thus far devised for reducing the invention to practice and it is to be understood that such disclosure shall not constitute in any respect limitations inconsistent with the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a perspective of a crate constructed in accordance with the invention. v

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation thereof, partly in section. V

Figure 3is a fragmentary end perspective of the closure or top section.

In crating or boxing certain vegetables for shipment, particularly celery, if the con tents do not completely fill the interior of a crate the market price obtainable is less than that of a crate in which no empty space remains between the crate top and the contents, although the quality may be the same in each instance. As crates are furnished shippers in stock sizes in most cases, and as, in the case of celery, asparagus and the like, the heights of stalks vary with respect to the height of the crates, which is standard as furnished the shipper, there is often a marked decrease in revenue from the 1932. Serial No. 621,980; j

resulting apparent incomplete 31 filling of crates.

In detail the disclosed embodiment of crate consists of end pieces 10 made up of three head'stic'ks 11, 12 and 13 which are connected with the conventional mortise andv tenon joint with the head sticks arrangedso that they provide supporting posts forthe bottom and two Sides of acompleted crate. As shown in the drawing, the end pieces are arranged in parallel relationwith the head Sticks 11 providing supports forthe bottom slats 14 nailed therein in accordancezwith conventional practice. The head sticks 12 and 13 provide corner posts for the slats .15 forming. the sides of the crate. Facing panels 16 are nailed intheu'sual manner to V the lower section of the end pieces onthe interior thereof.

At their upper ends each. of the corner post head sticks 12 and 18is formed with a relatively deep mortise which extends for approximately one-third of the length of the head stick. These mortises are designated as at 17. a a i The top section of the crate is made up of two head sticks .18provided with end tenons 19 adapted to be positioned within the mortises 17 for sliding engagement therein. The head sticks 18 are connected by the slats 21 which'form thetop of the crate. Each endof the top carries an inner facing panel 20 secured along its top edge to the! adjacent head stick 18 and which panel extends over the adjacentinner faces of the corner posts 12 and 13, being slidable thereover in conformity with the movement of the top section. i I It will be understood that crates of this nature are made up in knockdown condition with the respective structural elements thereof cut in standard. sizes and shipped in disassembled form In service the crates are assembled by arranging the end pieces and nailing the slats thereto which form the sides and bottom as well as at the same time assembling the top section which is detached from the body of the crate. With the top section or cover removed, the crate is filled with the produce to be shipped and the top section is then applied with the tenons 19 of the end head sticks 18 seated in the mortises of the corner posts. The top is then pressed downwardly toward the crate bottom until it engages the produce within the body of the crate.' Following this operation the end panels20 are nailed to the respective corner posts so that the top is anchored in its proper position. The upwardly projecting portion of each corner post above the top is then sawed oil so that wall head stick mortises whereby the top may be moved toward and away from the bottom between the side walls.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JACK W. SIMMONS.

the crate is finished and ready for shipment.

It is obvious that in the cases of crates embodying. a center panel'bracing the same structural arrangement may be utilized as the center panel will, of course, be a counterpart of the end pieces. It will be apparent that in this invention the height of the crate may be adjusted to suit the height of the crate contents so that there will be no empty space remaining between the top of the crate contents and the top of the crate itself.. The top section is capable of sliding adjustment toward and away from the crate bottom and moves within the side walls. The length of the mortises 17 is such that anyacljustment desired may be secured dependent upon the exigencies of the situation with respect to the nature of the crates contents.

1. In a crate, end sections comprising head sticks connected to provide supports for the bottom and side walls of the crate, the head sticks comprising the side wall supports being provided with vertical sockets, and a top adapted to be secured over the crate, said top having end pieces formed for sliding engagement in said head stick sockets whereby the top may be adj usted laterally of the crate.

2. In a crate, end sectlons mcluding head sticks connected in tenon and mortise joints, said head sticks having'each a deep mortise at the top of the crate, side walls and a bottom secured to the end section head sticks, and a top section detachably engageable' with the body of said crate, said top section having end sticks provided with ing the mortises of said head sticks where- 

